The 7 Greatest Purple Wines From Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA
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Named for forests of towering oaks that have mostly been replaced by vineyards, Napa Valley’s Oakville—both a town and an AVA—is home to some of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon. One of its most high-profile vineyards is To Kalon, which means “the highest beauty” in Greek. Originally owned and planted by Napa pioneer H.W. Crabb, it is now farmed by a variety of owners including Robert Mondavi winery’s parent company Constellation Brands, University of California Davis, and Beckstoffer Vineyards, which sells its prized fruit to several wineries. Producing some of the most coveted Cabernet Sauvignon in the world, Oakville has come a long way since its origins as a water stop for steam trains in the 1860s.
Two miles wide, Oakville was granted American Viticultural Area status in 1993. More than 70 vintners and growers cultivate grapes on its 5,000 acres of vines, which produce some of the foremost Cabernet Sauvignon and red blends in existence. California’s first “vineyard designate” wine, Heitz Cellars 1966 Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, is from Oakville, and the first perfect score for a wine from California was awarded to another product of Oakville, Groth Vineyards & Winery 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve.
Elevations rise to 1,000 feet in the Vaca Range on the east side of the AVA, where grapes receive sun late in the day, while afternoon shade is one of the benefits to vineyards planted in the Mayacamas Mountains on the west side, which ascend to a less extreme 500 feet. Meanwhile, at the flat center of the region, valley floor fruit is the recipient of generous sunlight and a steady cycle of morning fog and cool breezes from San Pablo Bay and constant flow of warmer air from San Joaquin Valley to the east. A vast array of flavor and tannin profiles for the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grown here is derived from widely differing soils including alluvial, sedimentary, and volcanic. Here are some of the finest wines from Napa Valley’s true center, Oakville.
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The Debate 2018 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Franc Oakville Napa Valley California
Wine lovers and collectors know the famous Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard on Oakville’s valley floor. Each year the Debate team makes a pair of standout wines, but we decided to highlight their excellent 2018 Cabernet Franc because of the ethereal bouquet of aromas of crushed violet petals, lavender, cedar, and tobacco leaf. Made from 100 percent Cabernet Franc it is aged for almost two years in 80 percent new French oak. It’s inky purple in the glass and is smooth on entry into the mid palate with flavors of black licorice, blueberry, candied cherry, and mocha. The tannins are fine and silky, and the finish goes on and on. Drink now through 2038.
Buy Now: $200
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Turnbull 2020 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley California
Turnbull has been making wine in Oakville since 1979 and to this day has remained an independently owned winery using only estate-grown grapes. Black Label is composed of 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from two estate vineyards, Fortuna and Leopoldina. Garnet to purple colored in the glass it has aromas of cherry, black olive tapenade, mocha, and mission figs that transition seamlessly on the palate with silky and rounded tannins. Drink now through 2038.
Buy Now: $180
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Trois Noix 2021 Rancho Pequeño Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley California
Translated from the original French Trois Noix means “three nuts,” and it began as a joint project among winemaking and grape-growing friends; they like to think of themselves as making wines with a midpoint between older and newer, more modern Napa style. Their Rancho Pequeño Cab comes from a very small vineyard (hence the name) and is deep purple colored in the glass. It has enticing aromas of blueberry, Oolong tea, and graphite with soft, smooth tannins and flavors of black raspberry, black currant, and a just a touch of mocha in the finish.
Buy Now: $150
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Robert Mondavi Winery 2019 The Reserve To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley California
To Kalon Vineyard was originally planted in 1868 and when Robert Mondavi chose it as the site for his new winery in 1966 it was already known to be one of the best vineyards in California. The 2019 harvest was long and leisurely, giving the winemaking team plenty of time to let the grapes hang and mature. After fermentation the wine was aged for 21 months in 100 percent new French oak barrels. It is a blend of 97.5 percent Cabernet Sauvignon with 2.5 percent Petit Verdot which contributes to its ink-like hue. It has aromas of black raspberry, brown baking spice, and a touch of lifted mint with flavors of black tea, dark chocolate, and cassis. Drink now through 2039.
Buy Now: $250
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PlumpJack 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley California
Gavin Newsom opened PlumpJack on San Francisco’s Fillmore Street in 1992 but since that time the PlumpJack Group has grown to include wine world luminaries such as founder Gordon Getty, general manager John Conover, winemaker Aaron Miller, and consulting winemaker Nils Venge. Only 545 cases of the stunning 2021 vintage of PlumpJack Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon were made, so don’t wait too long to acquire some for your own enjoyment. It is brilliant purple hued with aromas of graphite, black currant, toasted hazelnut, and dark cherry with flavors of black plum, black raspberry, and mocha, all wrapped in a silky tannic sheath. Drink now through 2045.
Buy Now: $192
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Miner Family Winery 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley California
Founded by Emily and Dave Miner in 1998 this family run winery makes a range of selections to highlight the differences of Napa Valley terroir. This Oakville Cab is sourced from Crossroads, Bonny’s, Stagecoach, and Vyborny vineyards and is a blend of 85 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 15 percent Cabernet Franc. It has aromas of blackberry, black currant, and cedar chest that morph to flavors of black plum, black cherry, pencil lead, and dried Mediterranean herbs.
Buy Now: $100
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Davis Estates 2018 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley California
Owner Mike Davis grew up in San Mateo County but spent his summer vacations at Napa Valley Ranch Club and developed a deep love for the Valley. In 2011 he and his family purchased a 100-year-old estate and created the winery of his dreams. Davis Estates 2018 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is barrel aged for 22 months in 60 percent new French oak. It has aromas of black plum, dark cocoa, and brown baking spices. It is juicy on the palate with well-structured tannins and flavors of blueberry, toasted almonds, cherry pipe tobacco, with a persistence of dark chocolate in the long-lasting finish.
Buy Now: $135
Authors
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Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, also known as the World Wine Guys, are wine, spirits, food, and travel writers, educators, and hosts. They have been featured guests on the Today Show, The Martha…
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Source: Robb Report